Broncos & NFL

Pro Football Hall of Fame to increase inductees with "contributor" category

The name plaque of Tampa Bay Buccaneers Derrick Brooks is on display where his bust will be placed in the Hall of Fame Gallery at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, Thursday afternoon, July 31, 2014. (Dirk Shadd, The Tampa Bay Times via AP)

For the next five years starting in 2015, there will be the possibility of an eighth member inducted annually into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Dave Baker, president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, confirmed Friday his board approved an amendment that will distinguish a "contributor" from the category that includes modern-era players and coaches.

The contributor would give each Hall of Fame class a maximum of eight inductees instead of seven. Currently, the Hall of Fame selection committee can elect up to five modern-era players and coaches, plus two senior players.

In the next five elections, contributors will rotate on a two-to-one basis with senior players as its own separate category.

There is no waiting period for Broncos owner Pat Bowlen as contributor. He conceivably could become a Hall of Fame candidate next year.

In 2015, 2017 and 2019, Hall of Fame voters can elect up to two contributor candidates and one senior player, along with the five modern-era player and coach candidates.

In 2016 and 2018, two senior players and one contributor will be presented for election along with the five modern-era candidates.

The contributors' category would be for those who didn't play the game, but helped enhance the NFL largely through ownership or administration.

The amendment was made, Baker said, because so many deserving contributors were getting bypassed in Hall elections because their candidacy would come at the exclusion of players.

Now, the game's contributors get their own category.

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